Lie to Me: A Novel

J.T. Ellison

Sep 2017 · Sold by MIRA

About this ebook

Domestic noir at its best. Readers will devour this stunning page-turner about the disintegration of a marriage as grief, jealousy, betrayal and murder destroy the facade of the perfect literary couple. New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison takes her exceptional writing to a new level with this breakout novel.

They built a life on lies

Sutton and Ethan Montclair’s idyllic life is not as it appears. They seem made for each other, but the truth is ugly. Consumed by professional and personal betrayals and financial woes, the two both love and hate each other. As tensions mount, Sutton disappears, leaving behind a note saying not to look for her.

Ethan finds himself the target of vicious gossip as friends, family and the media speculate on what really happened to Sutton Montclair. As the police investigate, the lies the couple have been spinning for years quickly unravel. Is Ethan a killer? Is he being set up? Did Sutton hate him enough to kill the child she never wanted and then herself? The path to the answers is full of twists that will leave the reader breathless.

Don’t miss It's One of Us, the next page-turning thriller from New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison!

Ratings and reviews

Based on the preview, the style of writing is drab, and almost monotone. They attempt to help us see through the character's eyes by including inconsequential details, such as him mulling over whether he'll in fact, get a scotch instead of a beer and what kind of scotch he might want. There are better ways to include these bits, and make them feel realistic and immersive. This person would benefit from practicing motivation-reaction units, or at least including more sensation in general.

I enjoyed this book. It had some interesting plot twists, but they weren't mindblowing. Entertaining nonetheless. A good choice for a beach read.

Ethan and Sutton Montclair seem to have it all. They are both writers, they make good money, have a beautiful home, and they love each other. Or so it seems ... The truth is something entirely different. Ethan had a one night affair, a night he doesn't remember but someone has a picture. They had a child, a little boy, who died of SIDS. They blame each other for his death. They have a life built almost entirely on lies. One morning Ethan comes downstairs, expecting to see his wife fixing breakfast ... but she isn't there. She left a note ... don't try to find me. But then Ethan discovers that his wife left with absolutely nothing .. not her purse, not her phone, not her laptop. Once the police get involved, Ethan becomes the number one suspect and all of Sutton's friends and even her own mother, think he had something to do with her disappearance. And then a body is found. I have read several of this author's books. I can genuinely say that this book has elevated her writing several levels. This is an extremely well written psychological thriller. Ethan tells his side of the story ... but it doesn't match what Sutton has told her friends. Who has lied? And why? There is also a third voice in the mix .... who is this person? The characters are very cleverly written... and not all of them are anyone I would personally like to know. Ethan is a bit controlling, wanting everything his way. He wants a child and he doesn't care if Sutton wants one or not. He switches out her birth control pills and she becomes pregnant. He's rather proud of that. Sutton confuses me at times. She is not without issues, but she's very secretive about her childhood. Sutton's mother is more interested in her daughter giving her a rather generous stipend every month and doesn't seem to be too concerned about her daughter's disappearance. Sutton's friends are varied .. and yet which one do you believe? My favorite character is Holly, the patrol officer who is given the chance to work the case. She's young, she's idealistic, but she's got a real feel for justice. When it comes right down to it, she doesn't think Ethan has done anything to his wife, but the older, more experience boys in blue pooh pooh her thoughts. She's tenacious and she doesn't let them convince her of anything other than what they can prove. So many twists and turns and surprises await the reader at every corner. I absolutely could not put this one down until the very last last page. Many thanks to the author / Harlequin (US & Canada) / Netgalley for the digital copy of this psychological suspense. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

About the author

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary show A WORD ON WORDS. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 28 countries. She lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.